Suzuki GT380 a good bike?

[olds-455]

Hello, new to the site and look forward to geting into these bikes. Heres the deal, I love all 2 strokes and have never owned a street bike that was a 2 stroke. I have a chance to pick up a 1974 GT380 for what looks to be a good deal. Are these good bikes and are parts avaliable if needed? I was thing of maybe a cefe racer look if possable. What do you all think? Thanks

[H2RICK]

Welcome Mr. Big Block !!

Of course it's a good bike. It's a Suzuki, isn't it ??
Just pulling your chain a little.
The 380 is a great bike and would make a very nice cafe bike....although you might have to search a while to find a good set of expansion chambers for it.
As to parts: used body parts are RELATIVELY easy to find because the 380 was the biggest volume GT triple produced with (apparently) over 100,000 made until the end of production somewhere about 1978 or 1979 (depending on which source you believe). Various bits show up on fleabay from time to time and the 380, 550 and 750 all share a fair number of common trim items, as well. It's amazing what you can still get from Suzuki, too. The aftermarket makes things like points and condensors, carb kits, brake shoes/pads, swingarm bushings, rear shocks, front fork seals, blah blah blah. Not bad for a bike that was last produced over 30 years ago.
A 380 cafe bike would make a nice winter project....if you can find one with low-ish mileage and a good engine/tranny. Everything else
can be easily replaced or refurbed with some wrench time and elbow grease on your part.

[Craig380]

+1 to what Rick said above ... they are a great bike, although I am somewhat biased, as you can tell from my username

In stock setup they are nice, if a little solid. However, ditching the stock exhaust system (which weighs 30+ pounds on its own) and adding expansion chambers makes a huge difference without needing any other mods.

Evidently Suzuki didn't use any of the exhaust know-how they paid Ernst Degner for, when he defected from MZ in the 60s. A decent set of chambers really perk up the motor and save a good 15 pounds weight.

Here's a pic of mine with its Allspeed chambers:

[olds-455]

Im looking at one for a good winter project right now. The deal on it is the guy wants $275. Doesnt know much about it and it hasnt ben run in some time. Looks to be a complete bike.

[H2RICK]

If it "hasn't been run in some time" then you're looking at a parts bike basically, IMO.
You MIGHT get lucky....but then again, you might not.
If it IS complete and NOT all rusted and beat to hell AND turns over AND has decent
compression on all 3 cylinders, then $200 might not be a bad price, but....
keep in mind you are paying for a complete pig-in-a-poke when it comes to runability.
If it IS seized or has low compression or is missing pieces or is all rusted to buggery,
then it's only a parts bike and is worth $50 tops, IMO.
My .02 worth....

[olds-455]

Well, its complete, pinkslip, not rusted, been stored in the garage and turns over free.

[rbond]

OK, here is where your determination and wallet comes in. Since it has been sitting for so long a crank seal re-build is mandatory. That will probably be the biggest first expense. From there it will seem to nickel and dime you to death, but stick with it. In the end you will have a good reliable bike that you can take pride that YOU fixed it and have intimate knowledge of the whole bike. You will be able to tell by how it feels and sounds if there is a problem starting and what it takes to deal with it. You will have many years enjoying this bike, I have never ridden a triple, I have a GT500 right now, but Suzuki made their reputation for building very good bikes of all sizes, you can't go wrong unless the P.O. trashed somehow......

[olds-455]

I think im going to give it a go. thanks for the onfo. I will post pics when I get it.

[Craig380]

On the crank rebuild issue, a friend of mine is fanatical about his 380s, and has salvaged / restored dozens of them over the years.

He says none of the ones he's worked on has ever needed crank seals replacing, no matter how long they've been left standing / neglected. I'm a little sceptical but they all seem to run and ride well.

Good luck with the bike, there will inevitably be some niggles on the way but that's what we're all here for

[Coyote]

I think there is an over reaction on the crank seal issue. The chicken coop Buffalo I bought in Kansas had not run in 25 years and was seized up as well. One year later I had it running like a top AND it did not need crank seals.

[oldjapanesebikes]

This is an interesting read by a fellow doing a GT380 restoration/rebuild in Toronto.

http://380blue.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[johnakay]

health/safety guy would have a field day there.
no guards,that hood of his if got caught by them belts no mask his lungs must be?????